Secondary News

One Body, Many Parts

As I look back on Term 2, I find myself reflecting on the incredible strength and rich diversity of our College community. I am deeply grateful for the personal partnership I share with our families, and for the trust you place in us each day.

For me, this sense of connection is beautifully captured in 1 Corinthians 12:12:

"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ."

In our Secondary School, I view every student, parent, and staff member as a vital, valued part of this single body. To me, fostering a sense of belonging here means ensuring we walk together with mutual respect, so that every young person feels safe, supported, and empowered to lead.

Throughout the term, I have loved watching our students step outside their comfort zones. I have seen them thrive on the sporting fields, display incredible creative and culinary talents, and stretch themselves academically through rigorous exam blocks and work experience. Each of these achievements contributes immensely to the vibrant culture of our school.

I want to extend my personal, heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated staff, our hardworking students, and all of our families. It is your active partnership and respect for one another that keeps our college safe, unified, and focused on helping every student achieve their potential.

Academic Growth & Future Transitions

Secondary Exams & Year 10 Work Experience:

We congratulate our Secondary students on completing their mid-year examination period. Facing timed assessments requires focus and emotional stamina, and our students have demonstrated commendable academic resilience throughout this block.

Simultaneously, our Year 10 students have spent valuable time in the wider community participating in Work Experience. Stepping into professional environments is an outstanding way for our young people to apply self-management skills in real-world contexts, and we are incredibly proud of how they have represented the college.

Charting Future Paths: 

Assisting our students to map out their future careers is a crucial part of their journey with us. Our Year 10 students recently explored diverse pathways at the Great Southern Deadly Jobs & Careers Forum, working closely with Careers Advisor Mrs Melanie Lawrence, Senior Secondary Coordinator Mrs Heather Jefferies, and their subject teachers.

Initiating these conversations at home can sometimes feel daunting. To support your discussions, we highly recommend utilising these two excellent, practical resources:

• Myfuture (myfuture.edu.au): A national online career information service to help students explore career options and pathways. Our Year 10s have already established accounts during their Vocational and Employment lessons.

• DETWA Career Conversations (education.wa.edu.au/career-conversations): Provided by the WA Department of Education, this portal offers valuable prompts and guidance to engage your child in meaningful discussions about their aspirations.

  
  

Thank you to all the parents who attended our recent Year 10 Subject Selection Information Night. For students interested in enrolling at South Regional TAFE next year, please note that the application window opens on July 29 and closes on August 19. It is important for students to have their Unique Student Identifier (USI) and resume prepared so we can assist them with their application. Looking ahead, we will be turning our attention to our Year 9 families in the second half of the year to help prepare them for these exciting Senior Secondary milestones.

Sports & Outdoor Pursuits

Year 7–8 Footy Carnival:

Our Year 7 and 8 students displayed fantastic sportsmanship and determination at the recent local Footy Carnival. Our teams played with tremendous heart, securing key victories against local schools.

We would like to make a special commendation to Billy Carpenter and Lily McConnell, who both stood out on the day and were specially mentioned by the AFL development officer for their outstanding play.

Interschool Surfing Carnival Results:

We are incredibly proud of our surfing team’s stellar performances at the recent Interschool Surfing Carnival. Our athletes showcased technical skill and teamwork in the water:

• Junior Girls Surfing: 

  • 1st Place: Annabelle & Mikayla

  • 2nd Place: Melody & Lily

• Junior Boys Bodyboarding:

  • 2nd Place: Cobi & Elijah

• Senior Boys Bodyboarding: 

  • 1st Place: Malachi & Jax

  • 2nd Place: Jesse & Billy

    
    

These individual and partner achievements are a testament to the hard work and passion of our Secondary surfing community. Well done to all involved!

Life & Community

Celebrating C.H.R.I.S.T. Value Awards: 

At our Week 9 Secondary Assembly, we were delighted to present the term’s C.H.R.I.S.T. Value Awards. These awards recognise students who consistently embody the core values of our college; Courage, Humility, Respect, Initiative, Self-Control, and Trust. Congratulations to all the recipients for being such positive role models and shaping a supportive culture across our campus.

Creative Initiatives & Enterprise: 

Our Secondary School has been buzzing with active student leadership and community-focused projects:

• 3v3 Soccer: This high-energy lunchtime competition has brought great spirit and friendly rivalry to the Secondary courtyard, encouraging healthy activity and connection across different year levels.

• Year 9/10 Street Food Lunch: Our Year 9 and 10 Cooking Elective students ran an incredibly successful Street Food Lunch, treating staff and students to delicious, high-quality dishes. This practical experience gave our students a realistic taste of the coordination, speed, and teamwork required in a commercial kitchen.

• ACC Community Cookbook: Organised by student Annabelle Reddington, this fantastic initiative invites families to submit their favourite recipes by the end of the school holidays. All proceeds from the cookbook sales will go directly towards purchasing a commercial coffee machine for our cooking room. There is a flyer in this newsletter which contains the submission link.

• The CEM Portraiture Prize 2026: We encourage all of our Secondary art students to consider utilising the holidays to complete their entries for this national prize. Finalists will have their work displayed in the National Virtual Exhibition, making it a wonderful holiday project. For more details, students can speak with Mrs Pitavinik. There is also an information flyer in this newsletter.

  
  

Supporting Well-Being: Cybersafety and AI Companions

As we enter the mid-year break, we want to partner with our families to ensure our students enjoy a safe and restorative holiday. To support their well-being, we would like to raise awareness regarding a growing online trend: student engagement with "AI Companions" (AI Chat Bots).

The eSafety Commissioner highlights several key risks associated with young people using these platforms, including exposure to inappropriate or highly sexualised content, developing unhealthy attitudes toward relationships, emotional dependency, social withdrawal, and age-verification bypasses.

To help protect and guide your children, we encourage you to:

1. Have an open conversation: Ask your child about the platforms and tools they enjoy using online, fostering a space of trust and non-judgmental discussion.

2. Review home safety measures: Assess your home internet controls, establish clear expectations around device-free times, and monitor social media usage to prevent technology fatigue or addiction.

3. Use trusted resources: Educate and equip yourself by visiting the eSafety Commissioner website at esafety.gov.au, which offers parent guides, safety checklists, and webinar information.

Our collective goal is to safeguard student well-being so that everyone can enjoy a healthy break and transition back to school positively and refreshed when Term 3 commences.

Term 3: Upcoming Dates for your Diary

Please mark these key Secondary dates in your calendar as we look ahead to the new term:

• Term 3, Week 1 (Wednesday to Friday):

  • Year 11 Art Camp

  • Year 10 Careers Camp

• Term 3, Week 1 (Thursday to Saturday):

  • Year 11 ATAR English Perth Camp

• Term 3, Week 2 (Friday):

  • Year 9/10 Cooking Class - Career Taster at Rustler’s Steakhouse

• Term 3, Week 3 (Monday and Tuesday):

  • Student Progress Interviews (Subject Teachers)

In Closing

As we conclude this busy and productive term, my hope and prayer is that our students return refreshed, carrying with them the positive habits and learning strategies they have developed. We want to empower them to enter their Term 3 classrooms feeling well-prepared, organised, and ready to learn.

At the same time, we want to continue encouraging them to act as responsible citizens. Taking ownership of their choices, understanding accountability, and respecting those around them are the defining characteristics that will set them up for lasting success in Senior Secondary and beyond.

I wish all our parents, students, and staff a very safe, restful, and blessed holiday. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday, 20th July.